Do the Indians' bullpen woes originate with the World Baseball Classic?

The World Baseball Classic would be a convenient excuse for Vinnie Pestano.The tournament — which has been held in 2006, 2009 and 2013 — is often mentioned at this time of the season when a player who participated in the Classic is struggling.This year, it's of particular significance to the Indians, whose top two relievers have spent time on the disabled list and haven't been nearly as productive as they were in 2012.Chris Perez pulled out of the tournament with a shoulder strain, and the Tribe's closer is currently on the disabled list for the first time in his career.Last season, Perez was 39-for-43 in save opportunities, had a 3.59 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.This year, he has blown two of his eight save chances, his ERA is 4.32 and his WHIP is 1.50.CBS Sports baseball insider Danny Knobler wrote Monday night that some Tribe officials wonder if the struggles of Pestano and Perez have anything to do with how hard they pushed to get ready for the WBC in March.Pestano, to his credit, isn't taking the easy way out.“I came into camp feeling strong, and my velocity was up from last year,” he told Knobler. “I was throwing 94 in the Classic, and at the beginning of the year. I think (the WBC) did a lot to get me ready.”Pestano has a 5.14 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, and he spent some time on the DL with a sore elbow.In 2011 and 2012, Pestano had a combined 2.45 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, and he struck out 10.9 batters per nine innings.A common denominator between the struggles of the back end of the Indians' bullpen is control.Pestano has eight walks in 14 innings. He walked 24 batters in both 2011 and 2012 — in an average of 66 innings per season.

Perez has 10 walks in 16 2/3 innings after allowing 16 free passes in 57 2/3 innings in 2012.The first pitcher Knobler mentions in his story about relievers who have struggled since participating in the WBC is Rays closer Fernando Rodney, who has blown five of 16 save chances and has a 4.94 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Last season, Rodney was lights out, saving 48 games in 50 chances with a 0.60 ERA and 0.78 WHIP.But last season might have been an aberration for Rodney, who has a career ERA of 3.80.From 2007 to 2011, Rodney posted ERAs of 4.26, 4.91, 4.40, 4.24 and 4.50.In 2010 and '11, he saved only 17 games in 28 chances with the Angels.Maybe it's not the WBC.Maybe it's just Rodney being Rodney.

Navy is taking Feller Award nominees

The Navy is accepting nominations for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.Nominations must be received by June 17, and the winner will be selected from a group of three finalists by a civilian board of directors. The honor is open to chiefs only.As we wrote in April, the Feller Award will recognize one Major League Baseball player, one Hall of Famer and a member of the Navy.The three MLB finalists, three Navy finalists and the Hall of Fame honoree will be recognized prior to the Tribe's 1:05 p.m. game against the Tigers on July 7.“It is important to recognize Bob Feller's unselfish devotion to our nation and Navy,” Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Stevens told the Navy Times. “He made the personal choice to give up money and fame for the service of others and placed himself in harm's way with his shipmates during a time of war. The chief petty officer that is selected for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award will embody these same traits.”

Would you bet against LeBron?

By the time the NBA Finals start on Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs will have had almost 10 days between games.That would seem to be a perfect recipe for an aging, veteran team — one that needs practice about as much as we need fashion advice from Craig Sager.None of that matters to Las Vegas, apparently.

Pregame.com says the Heat are 5.5-point favorites in Game 1 of the Finals, and Miami is a prohibitive favorite for the series.You would have to wager $250 on the Heat to win $100. A $100 bet on the Spurs to win the title in Vegas, if successful, would win $220.The Heat have homecourt advantage, and they have the best player in the world. The wise guys must prefer those variables over rest.

Before we go ...

If the Finals make it to a Game 7, anyone who has money on the Heat would have to feel pretty good.In four career Game 7s, LeBron James — following Monday's rout of the Pacers — is averaging 33.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists.In those contests, James is shooting 46.2% from the field and 76.7% from the free-throw line.His first two Game 7s were defeats as a member of the Cavaliers — the 2006 East semifinals against the Pistons and the 2008 East semis vs. the Celtics.His last two Game 7s have been victories with the Heat (Monday and the 2012 East finals against Boston). In the latter two games, James has averaged 31.5 points and 10 rebounds.

In yesterday's blog, I wrote that the Indians planned to make it up to fans who purchased tickets for last Friday's game against the Rays, which ended at 2:53 a.m. and endured almost five hours of rain delays.Make it up, the Indians did, offering fans the opportunity to exchange their tickets from Friday for one of two games — July 31 against the White Sox or Sept. 6 against the Mets.Both dates will include dollar hot dogs, and the Tribe added fireworks to the calendar for both contests.That's the type of gesture a team's faithful doesn't forget.You can follow me on Twitter for sports information, analysis and odds that make me wish I was in Sin City.

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